REVIEW: I INVITED HER IN, BY ADELE PARKS

When Mel receives an unexpected email from her oldest friend Abi, it brings back memories she thought she had buried forever. Their friendship belonged in the past. To those carefree days at university.

But Abi is in trouble and needs Mel’s help, and she wants a place to stay. Just for a few days, while she sorts things out. It’s the least Mel can do.

After all, friends look out for each other, don’t they?

My Thoughts: I Invited Her In opened to cozy scenes in the home of Ben and Melanie Harrison. They have settled into a suburb an hour from London, with Liam, Melanie’s 17-year-old son, and Imogene and Lily, their children together. Melanie loves her life, but when she gets the email from her university friend Abigail Curtiz, she is curious and intrigued.

Abigail arrives on the scene full of chatter and delicious treats, and the two women catch up on the years they were apart. Abi’s broken marriage has brought her to a sad place but remembering the good times will help…so she insists.

But soon Ben is anxious for the interloper to go. He misses his cozy times with Mel and the kids, and he doesn’t have a good feeling about Abi’s intentions.

Melanie is still eager for the party to continue…but then things begin to happen that are disturbing and uncomfortable. Soon she sees her old friend for who she truly is.

What secrets from the past will reveal more about Abi’s intentions, and how will Melanie find peace and family time again?

A stunning surprise at the end changed the tone of the story, but even with that snippet, I couldn’t help but really hate Abigail and her plots and evil plans, while rooting for Mel’s happy ending. A 5 star read.